Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Secures $120 Million Funding Boost

Gallup: The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project is getting a big boost with $120 million from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. This funding aims to provide a more reliable water source for tribal lands and the city of Gallup in Western New Mexico.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed optimism, saying this money brings them closer to ensuring safe water for their people. The funds come from the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund, which is great news for the community.

The project will help supply water from the San Juan River to about 40% of the Navajo Nation chapters, the southwestern part of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and Gallup. This is crucial since they all rely on a dwindling groundwater supply.

Authorized back in 2009, this project is finally gaining momentum. Gallup Mayor Louie Bonaguidi called it an economic “game changer.” He pointed out that the city has been struggling with expensive and limited groundwater resources. Water from the San Juan River is the only long-term solution.

Last year, they awarded a $267 million contract to design and build the San Juan Lateral Water Treatment Plant, which is a key part of this project. Nygren also thanked U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, along with Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, for their support in securing this funding through a bill to keep the federal government running.